Approach:
Use transgenic technology to develop maize and rice lines in which expression of yeast S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase is introduced in a seed-specific manner for the accumulation of higher polyamines, spermidine and spermine. Test to see if these transgenic lines are drought tolerant with higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and with improved grain nutrients and yield. Intercross spermidine and spermine accumulating tomato lines with ethylene deficient and methyl jasmonate (JAS) deficient tomato lines and test the pyramided transgenic lines for fruit yield, shelf life, and cellular metabolite content, including important nutrients, using metabolomics, specific gene indicators, and physiological parameters.